Archaeologists have unearthed Nativity-like scene statues in the ancient ruins of the Roman pagan city of Pompeii.
Approximately 13 figurines were found in what was once a home, and while the terracotta pieces mirror a Christian scene, they were used in an ancient cult ritual.
The miniature clay sculptures are about five inches high and found upright on a horizontal plane, probably a shelf that once hung inside the home.
Researchers determined the artifacts were to pay homage to the cult goddess Cybele, known for being the mother of the gods, and Attis, a mortal she fell in love with.
Some statues were human figures, while others included a chicken head and a pine cone.
Archaeologists have unearthed nativity-like statues in the ancient ruins of the Roman pagan city of Pompeii. But they were used in an ancient cult ritual. This sculpture likely shows the goddess Cybele. It shows a mother offering her breast to her infant
Archaeologists do not know what all the statues mean, but they believe they tell the story of Cybele, known for being the mother of the gods, and Attis, a mortal she fell in love with. And were used in a cult ritual
Two thousand years ago, Pompeii, which lies 14 miles southeast of Naples, was a buzzing city with some 15,000 residents before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius destroyed it on August 24, 79AD.
The eruption is thought to have killed 16,000 people in Pompeii and surrounding towns, making it one of the most destructive volcanic eruptions in history.
But buildings, roads, artifacts and even people were preserved under layers of ash- and archaeologists have been uncovering secrets of the ancient city since it was discovered in the late 16th century.
A team at the site uncovered the 13 figurines this month, stating they mirrored those used in the iconic Nativity scene.
‘Although the Christmas creche was obviously not a tradition in the pagan Roman city, experts believe the statues were arranged in a way that suggests they were part of an ancient ritual, ‘ archaeologists shared in the announcement.
The pieces were found in a room in a domus (pictured). They represent the story of Cybele driving Attis mad when she learned he did not love her. Attis sat under a pine tree and castrated himself
‘During ceremonies, which commemorated the death of Attis, they used to beat their own chests with pine cones,’ archaeologists shared, which is likely why a glass pine cone was found at the site
Cybele was an ancient Phrygian mother goddess whose cult was brought to Rome in the second century BC.
Ancient Romans spread the cult throughout Italy, eventually landing in Pompeii around the sixth century.
The figure of Attis became part of Roman society towards the mid-first century.
The timeline means the figurines recently discovered are more than 2,000 years old.
The pieces were found in a room in a domus near the house of Leda and the Swan, where excavation and restoration work is ongoing.
The house’s name comes from the refined fresco in the bedroom.
The scene full of sensuality represents the junction between Jupiter, turned into a swan and Leda, wife of Tindar, king of Sparta.
The figurines also tell the tragic love story of Cybele and Attis.
The miniature clay sculptures are about five inches high and found upright on a horizontal plane, probably a shelf that once hung inside the home
Attis was a Shepard boy and a figurine showing him carrying an animal on his back was found at Pompeii
Attis, a shepherd, was said to be a handsome boy with whom Cybele fell madly in love.
However, Attis was unaware of her love and made plans to marry someone else.
The goddess Cybele became insanely jealous and drove Attis mad as revenge. Running crazy through the mountains, Attis stopped at the foot of a pine tree and castrated himself.
His blood is said to have sprung the first violets on Earth, which took care of Attis’ spirit when he died.
Attis’ flesh would have decayed had not Zeus stepped in to assist Cybele in his resurrection.
This led to an ancient ritual conducted by priests known as Galilee, who were also emasculated as homage to Attis.
One of the figurines pulled from the rubble of Pompeii was Attis, a shepherd carrying an animal on his back.
The pone cone represented the legend that Attis castrated himself under the pine tree.
‘During ceremonies, which commemorated the death of Attis, they used to beat their own chests with pine cones,’ archaeologists shared.
Archaeologists also uncovered a fragment that belonged to a female statue but featured the head of a chicken that is an offering to Cybele.
Another statue showed a mother exposing her breasts to her infant, suggesting it was to worship the goddess who was called the mother god.